by The Associated Press, USA TODAY

by The Associated Press, USA TODAY

President Obama is urging the NHL and the players' association to "do right by your fans" and find a solution to the league's lockout.

Obama says in an interview with WCCO-TV in Minneapolis that as president, he shouldn't have to get involved in a sports lockout.

Representatives from both sides met with a federal mediator Thursday but didn't make any noticeable progress. The two sides appear no closer to a deal to save the season.

"My message to owners and to players is, you guys make a lot of money and you make a lot of money on the backs of fans, so do right by your fans," Obama said. "You can figure out how to spread out a bunch of revenue that you're bringing in, but do right by the people who support you.

"And I shouldn't have to be involved in a dispute between really wealthy players and even wealthier owners. They should be able to settle this themselves. And remember who it is that's putting all that money in their pockets."

House bill OKs bill to aid Red Wings arena

Michigan's House approved a bill that could lead to the Detroit Red Wings finally getting a new home.

The bill was passed Thursday and now goes to Republican Gov. Rick Snyder for his signature. State senators approved the legislation last week.

Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch currently leases aging Joe Louis Arena in downtown Detroit. Last week, he announced plans for a $650 million multi-use development, which would include an events center where hockey games could be held.

The bill would allow tax dollars collected by Detroit's Downtown Development Authority to be used for the project. Already, the DDA has been allowed for nearly two decades to pay down Detroit's general obligation bonds with about $12.8 million a year that otherwise would have gone to education, Senate Democratic leader Gretchen Whitmer has said.

"Funding a private stadium with taxpayer dollars cannot be our priority at this time," House Democratic Caucus leaders said Thursday in a release. "The money that would go to a Red Wings stadium comes from local property taxes and millages that would otherwise go to the School Aid Fund and we are against the continuation of that transfer."

Supporters of the stadium bill say it will create upward of 8,300 new construction jobs and pump $1 billion into Michigan's economy.

Arena operator disputes back taxes

The operator of Joe Louis and Cobo arenas in Detroit is disputing more than $971,000 in unpaid property taxes on the venues.

Olympia Entertainment says Thursday that the taxes "have been accrued to" the company "in what appears to be an error," and that it is incorrectly listed as the property owner on the tax rolls.

Olympia Entertainment is part of Mike Ilitch's stable of companies, which include Major League Baseball's Detroit Tigers and the NHL's Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings play in Joe Louis Arena which is leased from the city.

The Detroit Free Press reported earlier that documents show the taxes have been in arrears since 2009.